I was
directed to watch an interview by a women by the name of Wilma Mankiller
(1945-2010). To tell you the truth I was
hesitant to watch anything with a title of Mankiller in it. However, what i saw was a strong women who
was the first elected female Chief of the Cherokee Nation who helped led her
tribe during their transition to a sovereign nation. I heard from a women who faced many obstacles
in her career that the foundation of any leader is caring about the people, and
involving the whole family instead of just a selected few. What
I found the most interesting about Wilma Mankiller is that she is not full
blooded Cherokee. Her father Charley
was, however her mother Clara was Dutch-Irish.
Yet, Wilma felt that she was not hindered by that status, and was still
able to prove her willingness to improve the Cherokee Nation. After reading so much literature on preserving
blood lines in order to keep the Native American tribes pure, it is amazing
that she was able to go so far and show everyone that it is a product of heart
and soul rather than blood that makes you a part of the tribe.
Wilma Mankiller status of an inspiration women
was set in ‘stone’ when in 1993 she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall
of Fame. In 1998, President Clinton awarded
Wilma Mankiller the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her dedication to furthering
Native American Communities. Well-deserved
Mrs. Wilma!
"Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership and the
Cherokee Nation." Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership and the Cherokee
Nation. Indigenous Governance Database, the University of Arizona, 29 Sept.
2008. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <https://nnidatabase.org/video/wilma-mankiller-governance-leadership-and-cherokee-nation>.
Editors, Biography.com. The Biography.com website.
2016. article. 27 04 2016.
<http://www.biography.com/people/wilma-mankiller-214109 >.
Wilma Mankiller definitely left behind a legacy of achievements that have respectively earned her a place in history as one of the most influential female leaders of our time. The obstacles she faced both physically, due to accidents and health complications, and as Principal Chieftain is proof of her strength of character and resolve. Hopefully as time progresses more people will recognize her contributions to her people and society in general.
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